Early Breakfast withRelebogile Mabotja

South Africa's decision to abstain from a vote that would monitor LGBTIQ discrimination globally at the United National Human Rights Council has raised questions about advancing equal rights.

The South African delegation counted itself among 6 absentions and the resolution was passed with 23 votes for the decision and 18 votes against it.

702/Cape Talk's Redi Tlhabi spoke to Director of Chapter 2, Steve Lestike, who addressed 18 000 delegates at the International Aids Conference which is currently underway in Durban.

Letsike said SA's absention was unfortunate as there's still high levels of stigma against LGBTIQ people, particularly in administering treatments and giving health advice at health services institutions.

Listen to the conversation below:

According to global data, transgender people and men who have sex with men are at t higher risk of contracting HIV. While transgender women are 49 times more at risk of contracting the illness than the general population, and men who have anal sex also being 47% more at a higher risk.

Men who have sex with men are a key population. Transgender people are a key population, particularly because of their vulnerability, both biological and structural.

— Steve Letsike, Director at Access Chapter 2

Earlier this month, Redi Tlhabi spoke to the South African ambassador to the United Nations about this issue. Listen to what she had to say below: